SMU Mustangs vs Temple Owls Prediction, 10/20/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: SMU Mustangs vs Temple Owls

Date: Friday, October 20, 2023

Location: Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA

TV: ESPN2

Odds/Point Spread: Owls (+14)

Total/Over-Under: 57.5

The SMU Mustangs (4-2) are traveling to Lincoln Financial Field on Friday, October 20, 2023 where they will attempt to beat the Temple Owls (2-5). SMU opens this game as 14-point favorites. The total has been set at 57.5.

The SMU Mustangs come into this game with a record of 4-2 this season. In their last contest, the Mustangs faced the East Carolina Pirates and earned the victory with a final of 31-10. Preston Stone went 19/38 with 276 yards passing and 3 touchdowns. He had a QB rate of 137.1 and ended the game with no picks. Jaylan Knighton was the leader on the ground for the Mustangs with 11 attempts for 26 yards (2.4 yds per carry). The SMU Mustangs ended up rushing 23 times and accrued 58 yds, which earned them an average of 2.5 yds per carry. For the game, they ran 61 plays which converted into 334 yds. SMU relinquished 18 pass completions on 39 tries for 193 yds, and a completion percentage of 46.2%. In the running game, the Mustangs gave up 97 yds on 38 attempts, which is an average of 2.6 yds per rush allowed.

When it comes to scoring points, the SMU Mustangs hold an average of 33.3 points per contest. As a team they're averaging 157.7 yards on the ground ranking them 61st in the nation. The Mustangs have racked up 2,502 yards in total this season. In terms of scoring touchdowns, SMU has compiled 16 passing touchdowns and 7 touchdowns via the ground. SMU has a total of 129 first downs as an offense, and they have been called for 29 infractions for 242 yards. They have surrendered the football 6 times.

The Mustangs are ranked 17th in the country regarding team defense, conceding 17.0 points per game. The opposition is running for 3.3 yards per rushing attempt and 127.8 rushing yards per game for the year. Overall, they have allowed 767 rushing yards through 6 games. When it comes to yards through the air, the Mustangs are giving up 1,101 yds which has them ranked 10th in Division 1. They have surrendered 183.5 yards per contest through the air and allowed a completion percentage of 59.6%. For the season, they are surrendering 311.3 yards/contest which puts them 19th in the country. They have yielded 9 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 4 touchdowns pounding the rock.

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The Owls head into this matchup 2-5 this season. For their last game, the Owls walked away with a loss by a score of 45-14 when they played the North Texas Mean Green. Quincy Patterson finished the contest with 105 yds on 12/30 passing while his QB rate was 49.4. He had 3 picks and his average yards per pass attempt was 3.5. Quincy Patterson carried the rock 24 times for 113 yards, ending the contest with 4.7 yards per carry for Temple. Temple ran the football for 4.8 yards per attempt, finishing the game with 242 yards on 50 attempts. The Owls finished the contest with a total of 347 yards and they ran 80 plays (4.3 yds per play). The Owls passing defense conceded a completion rate of 64.1%, surrendering 307 yds on 25 for 39 through the air. Temple surrendered 37 rushing attempts for 220 yds (5.9 yds per rush).

The Temple Owls are averaging 380.6 yards/game, which has them sitting 78th in college football. The Temple offense has accrued 228 yards of penalties on 33 infractions, which is 96th in the nation in terms of hurting your team. They hold an average of 112.3 yards per game via the rush and have toted the ball for 786 yards for the season. They have tossed 8 picks while letting opponents recover 5 fumbles and they have been able to tally 151 first downs. In relation to their scoring prowess, the Owls currently rank 111th in the nation maintaining an average of 21.9 points per outing. For the season to this point, the Owls have compiled 1,878 passing yards not to mention an average of 268.3 passing yards per contest, putting them at 38th in the nation.

The Owls are conceding 35.6 points per game, which puts them 125th in the nation. Temple has given up a total of 1,447 yards rushing (206.7 yards per contest) in addition to 15 touchdowns via the rush on the campaign. Overall, they have surrendered 249 pts. They have conceded 17 touchdowns from the passing game as well as 231.7 yards/outing, which puts them in 79th in the country. The Owls defense has taken the field for 472 plays, which ranks 110th in the nation. Their defense has tallied 1 fumble and 1 interception over the course of the season.

Who will win tonight's Mustangs/Owls college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Owls +14

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